Want to say sift differently? Here are other words for sift and its similar synonyms and opposite words to say in unique way.
Meaning of sift
The primary meaning of the word "sift" is to carefully examine or investigate something in order to find or discover something specific.
Etymology of sift
The word "sift" originated from Old English "siftan", which is also related to the Old Norse word "sifta" and the Middle Low German word "siftan", all of which are derived from the Proto-Germanic word "siftiz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "seip-", meaning "to sieve" or "to filter".
The word has been used in the English language since the 9th century, initially to describe the act of separating or sorting something, especially grain or other materials, and later to describe the act of examining or investigating something carefully.
Synonyms
Definitions
- To examine or investigate something carefully in order to find or discover something specific
- To separate or sort something, especially in order to remove unwanted parts or to find something specific
- To move or fall through the air, typically in a gentle or quiet way
Usage Examples
- The detective sifted through the evidence to find any clues that might lead to the suspect.
- She sifted through the job applications to find the most qualified candidates.
- The company will sift through the data to identify trends and patterns.